From abuse to resilience in romantic relationship of women: A model testing study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the abuse experienced by women in their romantic relationships on their resilience with a holistic approach. In the research, two different studies were carried out in line with this main purpose. In the first study, the revised form of the Romantic Relationship Assessment Scale was created. In this process, a total of 763 data were collected by using the convenience sampling method among women and men aged 18 and over who are currently in a romantic relationship. Personal Information Form, Romantic Relationship Assessment Scale and Relationship Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools for the first study of this research. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyzes were performed on the original form of the Romantic Relationship Assessment Scale which consists of 70 items and shows a one-dimensional structure. As a result of these analyses, it was found that the revised form consisting of five sub-dimensions which are physical harm, social restriction, cognitive suppression, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and 28 items in total is a valid and reliable measurement tool. In the second part of the study, it was tried to test whether the variables of mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, positive attitude towards the future, and social support perceived from family and friends function as protective factors in the process of resilience development on women who experienced abuse in their romantic relationships by using a structural equation model. Within the scope of this study, data were collected by purposeful sampling method from a total of 818 female individuals aged 18 and over who are currently in a romantic relationship. For the second study, Personal Information Form, The Romantic Relationship Assessment Scale-Revised Form prepared within the scope of the first study, Resilience Scale-Short Form, Cognitive Emotional Mindfulness Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Attitude Towards The Future Scale, and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale were used as the data collection tools. The findings of this study revealed that the hypothetical model established based on the literature was confirmed [χ² / df = 4,400; RMSEA = .065; SRMR: 057; CFI = .951; NFI =, 938; TLI / NNFI = .925; GFI = .964; AGFI = .935]. In this context, it was concluded that the direct effect on the path from abuse in a romantic relationship to resilience was not significant, while internal (mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, positive attitude towards the future) and external (support of family and friends) protective factors are mediators of the relationship between the two. The mediating role of the internal and external protective factors in the model revealed that they play a crucial role in the process of resilience development. As a result, it has been found that internal and external protective factors together explain 52% of the change on resilience. The findings obtained from the research were discussed within the scope of the related literature and suggestions were presented to researchers and those working in the practice field for further studies.